The FSS uses smuggling to purchase equipment in Germany
Category
World
Publication date

The FSS uses smuggling to purchase equipment in Germany

Heller Tools

Companies associated with the Russian FSB espionage group Sernia have resumed purchasing equipment from the German instrument manufacturer Heller Tools.

Points of attention

  • Russian companies linked to the FSS espionage group “Sernia” are involved in smuggling to procure equipment from the German manufacturer Heller Tools.
  • The FSSspy group “Sernia” was formed to circumvent Western sanctions and acquire equipment for the Russian defense industry, utilizing illegal channels for procurement.
  • Journalists reveal connections between Russian companies and the FSB spy group, highlighting attempts to purchase military technologies through smuggling routes.
  • The EU and US have imposed sanctions on companies and individuals involved in the illicit procurement of equipment, showcasing the international repercussions of these actions.
  • Cases of contraband purchases, such as a Moscow company acquiring equipment worth $860,000 and subsequent sales to another Russian entity, illustrate the extent of the smuggling network.

What is known about the contraband purchase of equipment by Russia in Germany

It is noted that German Heller Tools sold drills and other equipment to Russian companies for $1.2 million.

Journalists of the publication, referring to data from the US Ministry of Justice, emphasize that the FSS spy group "Sernia" was created to evade Western sanctions and obtain equipment for the Russian defense industry.

In particular, after the criminal invasion of the Russian army into Ukraine in 2022 and until June 2023, the Heller company sold $860,000 worth of equipment to a Moscow company called Treydtuls Trading House.

The Russian Federation smuggles equipment into Germany
Products of the company Heller Tools

Equipment supplies were stopped in June 2023, but as early as August of this year, the German company began selling equipment to another Russian company, Tireks.

She was sold equipment for another 300,000 dollars.

Construction tools sold by Heller, such as steel or masonry saws and drills, were not included in the EU's export control lists until December 2023.

However, later they were included in the list.

According to the journalists of the publication, Tireks was founded in June 2023 by former shareholder and employee of "Treydtuls" Artem Klymenko.

Journalists discovered the connections of "Treydtuls" with the Russian company Robin Trade, which American investigators called a cover for the company "Sernia Engineering".

Both companies belonged to businessman Oleksiy Zibirov.

Serniya Engineering and Robin Trade were hit by EU sanctions in 2022. Among the clients of the Sernia network are the Ministry of Defense, the state defense conglomerate Rostec, and the state nuclear energy giant Rosatom.

It is noted that Klymenko replaced Zibirov as CEO of one of the Russian import companies shortly after the introduction of sanctions against Robin Trade in 2022.

What is known about other contraband purchases of Russian companies

Another company, Finch Impex, imported $2.2 million worth of equipment and other goods, mostly from Taiwan and China.

We are talking about parts for oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers, which are on the "high priority" list of controlled export goods.

In 2022, the US Department of Justice indicted five individuals associated with Sernia for conspiring to acquire military and dual-use technologies for Russian defense companies. Among them was Vadym Konoshchenok, who was detained by Estonian border guards with "35 different types of semiconductors ... as well as thousands of American 6.5 mm bullets used in military sniper rifles."

Category
Politics
Publication date

Boris Johnson named the only way to save Ukraine from Putin

Boris Johnson named the only way to save Ukraine from Putin
Source:  Daily Mail

Former British leader Boris Johnson believes the West must provide Ukraine with real security guarantees. If this does not happen, the war will end in the triumph of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

Points of attention

  • To end the war, the determination of Ukraine's allies is necessary.
  • Boris Johnson reminded that territorial compromises will not stop Putin.

Johnson believes Trump will stop Putin

The British politician draws attention to the fact that now is the moment when Ukraine's allies must "shock Putin with the strength of their determination."

According to Johnson, it is American leader Donald Trump who can do this.

The former British Prime Minister also reminded the West that no territorial compromises will stop the war, because Putin's main goal is not the territory of Ukraine.

According to Johnson, the question is not about the land, but about the future of Ukraine — whether it will be part of the West or fall back under the control of the Kremlin:

If we do not resolve the fate of Ukraine as part of the West, protected by Western security guarantees, Putin will be assured of triumph. He will keep what he has and use his position to destabilize and attack Ukraine by any means necessary until the government in Kyiv falls, civil war breaks out, and the entire country returns to his orbit.

Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson

Former Prime Minister of Great Britain

According to the former British leader, the war will end only when Putin understands that Ukraine will never return to his control.

By staying online, you consent to the use of cookies files, which help us make your stay here even better 

Based on your browser and language settings, you might prefer the English version of our website. Would you like to switch?